Cloth measuring device



1946- I J. A. FIRSCHING ,4

CLOTH MEASURING DEVICE Filed. April 4, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet l A -2 ,1946. J. A.-F.R'5H.NG 2,406,140

CLOTH MEASURING DEVICE Filed April 4, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet s Aug. 20, 1946. 5 2,406,140

' CLOTH MEASURING DEVICE Filed April 4, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Aug. 20,1946

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I I 2,406,140 I I CLOTH MEASURING DEVICE Joseph Firsching, Utica, Y. i V I ApplicationApril 4, 1944, Serial No. 529,535

7 Claims.

My inv ntion relates to a cloth measuring device and I declare the following to be a full, clear, concise and exact description thereof suflicient to enable anyone skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same, reference being had to the drawings in which like characters refer to like parts throughout the specification. The object of the invention is to provide a device that can be attached. to a knitting machine especially the cylinder 'type, whereby to measure off predetermined lengths of cloth and to automatically stop the knitting machine when said machine has knitted saidlengths.

The object will be understood by referring to the drawings in which:

. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device, showing the same attached to acylinder knitting machine, parts of the knitting machine being omitted.

Fig. 2 is adetail view showing a perspective. somewhat enlarged, of one of the brackets employed in the device, and immediate parts.

Fig. 3 is a detail view showing a plan of a cup shaped disk employed in the device.

Fig. 4 is a detail view, showing a perspective of a cover rock member also employed in, the device. I i

Fig. 5 is'a detailed enlarged view, showing a perspective of an adjustable plate and immediate parts, employed in the device.

Fig. dis a detail view showing a perspective of a certain .h'ousingmember employed in the 1 device.

device, somewhat enlarged. 1 l n Fig. 8 is a detail view,- showing a perspectiv of a measuring or graduated ring employed in the device.

Fig. 9 is a detail view, showing the reverse side of the member illustrated in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a detail view enlarged, showing a perspective of the reverse side of the cup shaped member of Fig. 3 and also showing immediate parts connected thereto.

Fig. 11 is a detail view,'showing a perspective of an annular member and immediate parts, employed in the device.

Fig. 12 is a detail view showing a perspective of a housing employed and looking at th reverse side ofFig. 6. y r

Fig. 13 is a detail viewshowing a side elevation of the device,-=-parts being omitted.

. 2 1 Fig. 14 is a detailview showing a perspective of abearing bracket employed in the-device; v

Fig. 15 is a detail viewshowing an elevation of a certain worm gear andimmediateparts em ployed in the device. g g v V Fig; 16 isia detail view showing a central vertical section of the view shown in Fig..-13. f Fig. 17 is a detail enlarged'view of the contact wheel and immediatepartsemployed in the .de-

vice. I

Fig-18 is a detail enlarged viewshowing a side elevation of the contact wheel. 4 g l Fig. 19 is a detail view enlarged, showing a central vertical of the view shown in Fig. 17, and connected part broken away. I

Fig. '20 is a detail view showing the assembly of brackets and 50, partsbeing broken away; Referring more particularly to the drawings a kick off member I is attached as hereinafter .eX- plained to the rotary portion 2 of the knitting machine 3. Member I contemplates a casting or housing 4 having an upper part 5 and lower part 6 separated to form an. Open recess;1.; A clamping member I6 is held by a headed 'screw bolt I I to housing l. Member I6 has a laterally extending part I2 that cooperates with the recessed portion? I3 made in the extended end of member I, whereby to clamp member I firmly to a rod I4 upstanding in the rotary'partZ of the knitting machine.

A vertically disposed rod I5 is projected through loose bearings in the upper 5 and lower part 6 of member I. It is held in member I by a horizontallydispose'd rod .I6 which has a tight fit in a suitable aperturein first named rod I5 between upper 5 and lower parts 6 of member I.

A flat spring 26 is held to the top surface of elevation 22 formed integral with the part 5. Thefree end of spring 26 rests on the upper surface of vertically disposed rod I5, whereby to hold it normally in lowermost position. The free end 23 of spring26 is bent at 24to meet the upper surfaceof rod I5. I g 7 v ,A shelf 25 is formed in the end part 21 of member I. There rests upon shelf 25the free end of rod I6 when in cocked position. A cam or inclined surface 28 leads upwards to shelf 25 to form an easy approach for rod I6 when moved manually to cocked position as shown in dotted with asocket portion 65.

} whichlever 66 can swing.

lower part 6 of mem- This actuation of rod I5 will allow rod I5 to move downward under pressure of spring 20, whereby its lower end will engage one of the 1 many upstanding lugs formed integral with the stop or kick off ring of the knitting machine 3.

Kick off ring having lugs 33 thereon will be arrested from moving with. the circular plate 2 of the knitting machine 3' and thereby shift the belt and brake. the rotation of plate 2 of the knitting machine 3, as is well known in the art and to which reference is made for more particular de- 1 scription.

Rod 29 hereinabove mentioned is mounted to 1 slide in bearings 48 and 4| formed in upstanding channel bracket 42. The lower end vofred Z8 is held by a'set screw 43 in socket part .44 of gib or member 45 formed similar to a shepherds staff. The lower portion of rod 29 has a loose bearing in horizontally disposed part 4| formed integral withLthe lower part of bracket .42..

Furthermore, lsaidlrod 28 i is. held normally, in

1 upper position illustratedoin dotted. lines in Fig. I 2 by aH-fiatspring. .49 hereinafter mentioned. A horizontally adjustable channel -bracket'till is dis- 1 posed atright anglesto bracket42. It is attached thereto byflmeans .of-a horizontally disposed 1 member 55 that vfitsinto. the channelrportion 56 made on-the undersideofbracket 58 and held by headed bolt 51 and washer thereto.

Bracket 50- is. mountedon the top part 680i I housing 6| and held. in adjusted position thereto by a washer and'headedQb -lt 63 engaging a threaded aperture 64 madein said housing 6|.

The free end of bracket 58' has an offset part extendingat-right angles th'eretoand is equipped A rock lever, .or arm 66Ifu1cru1'ned. on headed. bolt 61 which is heldin place in .socket' I by nut68 provides apivot on Lever 6.6 .is bent upward .at .IIJfto provide a restlfor the lower end 1 of spring," hereinafter mentioned. Spring 12 will urgelever 6.6 normally inward to hold it in cocked-position. The. free end of. arm or lever 66 extends through a'nielongated recess I5 made i in thelower part of upward p'roiectingbracketjfl. 5 When incocked position the free end I3 of lever I 66 rests in the recessed part 'lfimadeliz'i the nor.-

per surface of end 13 or lever 66 willrest against tion'II of .member 45. In this position-theupr the upper edge of. elongatedrecess :15. and its is threaded at- 92 for screw mounting nuts 93 and 94 hereinafter mentioned. Disk 86 is mounted also to turn on shaft 9| and for this purpose has a central hearing at 65.

An open ended cylinder or member 96 is attached by lugs 91 to the inner face of disk 86 and is disposed concentric to wall 81 thereof although'of smaller diameter. The wall of the cylinder 66 is cut away at WI and directly therebeneath at ||I2,'the lower opening coincides with the cut away portion 88 of disk 86. 98 is provided with a bushin I83 and is held in f given position on shaft III by nut 93 at one end andby bushing I85 formed integral with supporting bearing bracket I86 at the other. Shaft SI 'hasa bearing in bracket I86.

The inner peripheral edge I8! of cylinder 96 abuts against a raised annular ridge IE8 formed integral with the adjacent surface of worm gear 98 and is held tightly thereagainst, whereby to rotate therewith by nut 94 "screw mounted on The means for turning wormgear 98 conteme plates a headed worm ll6 having bearings in the upper inner portionof housin ,6.I;.Head -I II therewith, whereby to prevent unauthorized per-v sons tampering therewith. A star wheel. I28 is mounted to the opposite-end of worm I I6 by a headed set screw I2I which. holds it tightly to said worm I I6, wherebyto turn therewith. Wheel I20 is turned intermittently by arbor or pin l25reduced at I26 and projecting laterally from the sideof disk I 2'I.. ofrotatable contact wheel I28. Arbor I25 is located adjacent hub I29 of said disk I21. Hub :29 is formed integral with 1 disk f|21 and is reducedin diameter at I38 to provide a bearing axle which fits. loosely into 4 bearing It! made integral with.housing .6I and turns therein. Flat spring I32 fastened zit-I33 to housing 6| prevents wheel 28 from spinning.

Rotatable contact wheel I 28 is equipped with bent wiretoothed. cloth gripping surface I 35 which makes contact withthe knitted cloth 3| as Leaf spri g "I2 is mounted by screw bolt 86: to I. upstanding offset bracket 8| formed integral'with 1 adjustable bracket 58, whereas leaf spring .49 is fastened by a screw bolt 82 to. socket member I 83 'made integral with bracket 50.

The means for kicking rock arm. or lever 66 5 free from its position in the recessed part I6 of .portion I! of member-.45 contemplates a finger 85formedintegral' with open cup shaped cloth measuring disk 86 having an annular wall 81.

1 Finger 85 extends outwardly and at an angle from I wall 81; "It isformed in the shape of a double angle iron... .Sai'd disk86" andwalltlare ut it comes down from the knitting machine 3, aided by rollers I36, I36, whereby to rotate wheel I28 and thereby cause arbor I25 to meshintermittently with the teeth of star wheel I28 to turn said wheel I20 a predetermined degree once every revolution of contact wheel I28. This rotation of star wheel I20 intermittently will in turn rotate worm I16, worm gear 90 andcup shaped disk 86, whereby to cause finger to kick off rock arm or lever 66 free from member 45 a hereinafter more fully explained.

Contact wheel I28 is housed in a circular cupsh'aped casing IIflhaving an openingatMI to' allow'a, portion of contact wheel I28 to extend therebeyond .to reach knitted cloth 3| as it comes down from the knitting machinefi. Casing I48" has an opening opposite at I42 to clear graduated annular ring I43 hereinafter; described.

Worm gear provide a bearing therefor. A four armed leaf or flat spring I 41 is used in formed by indenting the outer lateral surface of easing I40. A centrally disposed bearing member'I45 is made integral with hub I44. vIt fits into a loose bearing made in the under side of hub portion I29 of contact wheel I28, whereby to connection with bearing I45 to prevent contact wheel I28 from spinning; A disk shaped cover 'plate I is fitted to the open side of cup shaped casing I40 and is held thereto by screw bolt I5I projected through extended lugs I52 of plate I50 and engaging threaded apertures in complementary lugs formed integral with the annular wall of casing I40. v Cover plate I50 has a central aperture I53 for the projection of bearing axle I30. Said ap I to conform to open- 6| embodies screw bolts I55, -I 55 projected through apertures I56, I56 in upstanding plate I51 made integral with housing 6| and engaging threaded apertures I58, I58 in upstanding lug I59 formed in plate I50.

The means for measuring the yardage or unit of cloth to be knitted embodies a raised graduated annular scale I60 made on the front surface I6I of housing 6|. The scale has graduated raised'lines I62 with raised numbers 10 to 300 representing yardage or any predetermined units of cloth 3|. An outer slightly raised peripheral ring I63 formed integral with surface I6I of housing BI is equipped With small threaded apertures I64 located opposite the ends of lines I62.

A complementary annular rotatable ring member I43 having a graduated scalefl66 similar to scale I60 cooperates therewith to predetermin'e the length of the unit of cloth 3I to be knitted. Ring I43 has a large central opening I61, whereby when fitted onto the raised graduated scale I60 both graduated scales I60 and I43 willbe visible. However,'scale I60 is concentric with scale I43..

Ring member I43 has an annular rearwardly extending ridge I'I0 that fits over the eripheral edge of raised ring I63 formed on surface I6I, whereby to hold ring member I43 in given rela- The means for preventing an unauthorized person from unscrewing nut 94 during the interval it takes for finger 85 to travel from its resting position against stop I85 until it reaches numeral 90 on scale I66 contemplates pointer I90 formed onhub I9I which has an arbor- I92 resting in'a bearing in wall of member 66. An annular member I95 is mounted to the opposite end of arbor I92 which is squared for the purpose and for causing member I95 and pointer I90 to turn together as one piece. A flat three pronged spring I93 interposed to prevent spinning ofmember I 95 and pointer I90. Set screw I96 is used to hold member I95 to arbor I92. i

A shelf 200 extending outwardly from' cup shaped disk 86 forms a closing member to protect pointer I90 from being moved by an unauthorized person; An open sided covering member 20I shown in detail in Fig. 4 is provided to swing from its top outwardly on a pivot pin 202-having bearings in lugs 203-203 formed integral with the front wall of cup shaped disk 86. A member 204 outstanding from the wallet cup member 66 and made integral therewith provides a guide slot for the adjacent side wall of closing member 20I.

- A triangular shaped tooth 206 is made integral with the wall of member 20I and near the top thereof and stands out therefrom. When pointer I90 is in the central position, illustrated in Fig. 3 the tooth 206 of covering member 20I will interfere with the contiguous surface of pointer I90 and thereby prevent said cover member 20I from rocking to closed position. However, when pointer I 90 is moved to either dotted line position illustrated in Fig. 3 said tooth 206' will be allowed to rock to closed position without interfering pointer I90. I I

The means for rocking pointer I90 to either dotted line position shown in Fig. 3 contemplates an o'utstanding stationary lug 0r tappet 2I0 2I'I comes opposite and enters staitonary tappet tion to scale I60 and yet allow it to turnrelative thereto.

The means for accurately setting ring I43 relative to scale I60 embodies an index finger I 15 extending inwardly from ring I43 and in the same plane therewith. An aperture IBI is made in ring I43 for the projection of screw bolt I to' the operator will turn ring I 43 unti1 the edge of finger II5 coincides with the graduated line corresponding to number 90 on scale I60 and then insert screw bolt I80 to hold ring I43 in place.

It will be observed that scale I66 is graduated in the opposite direction from scale I60, whereby the numbers 90 and 10 coincide as in the above example.

The means for limiting the extreme position to which finger of cup disk 86 canbe turned to initial starting position for knitting units of cloth 3| embodies a stop member I85 upstanding at right angles on the outer peripheral edge of ring I43. Member I85 has its stop'edge in line with the zero line I86 of ring I43.

' aperture I 61.

2I0. At this intervaltappet 2I0 will cause the rotation of annular-member I and of pointer I90 to th right hand position of dotted lines illustrated in Fig. 3; whereby member 20I can be rocked to key releasing position free of the interference of tooth 206 with pointer I90. 3 I

At the other end or initia1 position of cup disk 86 the same functions will be performed by outstanding lug or tappet 2 I5 made integral withthe outer surface of ring I43 and on that portion thereof that extends slightly into the central In this instance tappet 2I5 engages the recessed portion 220 in annular member I95 and turns it anti-clockwise to move pointer I90 to the dotted line position shown'at the left in Fig. 3. V

In both of the ove'cases when the recessed portions 2 and 2 0 move away from their re spective tappets 2I0 and 2I5, member I95 and pointer I 90 will be returned to central orkey look: ing position shown in Fig. 3.

The means for turning nut 94 which holds shaped disk 86 tightly with its cylinder 96 against the lateral surface of worm gear 90 contemplates key 225 having a socket wrench head 226 and a handle or finger part 221. When nut 94 is screwed tightly against surface of disk 86, said disk .86. will. turn with worm gear 90, whereby to with , to revolve anticlockwise.

aeOapiio move-finger .85 from initial position on stop I85 j When cover member Z BI isrockedawaylfrom surface 86 by pointer 19% moving against tooth 206 of member ZBI the outer free portion of cover 20I will'be sufficiently near the front surface 286 of casing 230 to prevent the insertion of key 225 for turning nut 99. Only at the initialand final j positions can key 225 be inserted. In other positions tooth willinterferewith pointer I-90to prevent the rocking of cover member 2 M tokey inserting positions.

The means for holding the the knitting machine .35, contemplates a bracket -2-4 llhaving a horizontalshelf 2M resting beneath a like part 242 extending horizontally from upstanding bracket 42 and held thereto by headed bolt 243 and washer-244. Bolt v243 is projected downwardly through a loose aperture-in supporting, member 242 and into a threaded aperture in part-2M of bracketz lll, whereby said bracket 24c can be rocked relative'to bracket 32, if necessary.

The upper part of bracket 241.8 has formed integral therewith clamping jaws24I and 248, whereby-to engage the stationary base cylinder 246 01? the; knitting machine 3,:and is held tightly measuring device to thereto .by a set 'bo1t'24-9 mounted inathreaded I aperture in lower jaw 241 of the clamp.

- In order to operate the device, let usassume that it is desirable to knit 90, yards or units .of

clothpSi and thereupon :stop the knitting machine .3. To this end'the operato-rwill first adjust graduated ring 143 relative to graduated scajle I60, whereby the zero line 186 on ring 143 will be opposite line corresponding to 90' on scale I60. Thereupon the operator will insert screwjbolt I through the apertureizi8l' in ring, I43 to ,Whereb-y pointerlfifiwill be moved on center to allow cover member 2E3I to be rocked into ;key

inserting position. The operator will, insert/key" 225 and turn nut 94 tightly against the contiguous surface of cup disk 86 to press edge .101 of .against said gear. 3. In a cloth measuring device for knitting:

cylinder 96 against the ridge I08 in lateral side of worm gear 90, whereby disk 88;and' finger carried thereon will turn vflth .worm gear 90.

'Key 225 will be withdrawn then and the knitting machine 3 started, whereupon contact wheel I28 with its surface resting on cloth 3| will .revolve and'through the medium of star wheel I25, worm II6, worm gear 90, cause disk 86 and finger 85 When disk 86 carrying annular member I95 starts to move, said member I95 will be rotated by its contact with-movable V tappet 2I5 sufiiciently'to bring pointer I93 to central position to rock I'covering member 'ZBI outward, whereby to prevent the insertionof key '225;.-in;casing, 23B untilfinger :85 has reached and kicked off lever -66 and the knitting mach-met isjstopped. ,At'this-laterposition the recessed portion 2II of annular member I95; will beengaged by stationary; tappet-2IiJand-cause the turning of pointer I9!) clockwise to allow member Zill to rock to key inserting position, whereby key 225 can'be inserted toturn nut :94 torelease cup shaped member or disk 86 carrying cylinder igfi fromworm -geartil. ,Said'member 86j=can be back'to starting or initial turned, then manually position;

-Moreover, the release of rock memberor lever I [it from'recessed portion 16 of member 45.;will

allow rod 29 to move upwards under pressure of flat spring 49;; to its upper dotted. line. position shown in Fig. 2,;wl 1ereby its upper. end wi'll'be in the path 'of'the free end of; rod I15" when it comes around on the next revolution of" rotary part-2 of theknitting machine 3,.

;;Rod I6 will be moved thereupon off from-shelf 25 to permit;vertically-disposed rod I5 tormove downward into engagement, with one of the lugs 33 of, kick off ring34, whereby to shift the belt,

not shown, of the knitting machine 3 and to apply the brake to stop its motion.

vThe aforesaid-movements will be repeated as often as it is desirable to knit units of cloth claim as new and desire tov secure 'byflLetters Patent is as follows 1. Ina cloth measuring machines;v a clothcontact wheeljia gear turned by said wheel, a cup shaped disk, means for holding said disk to turn with said gear, 'afrod held latched in inoperative position for actuating the stop motion of .a knitting'machine, and a member carried by said disk; whereby to release said rod.

2'. Ina cloth measuring device for machines, a cloth contact wheel, a staruwheel actuated by said contact wheel, a gearactuat ed bysaid star wheel, a measuring" cup shaped disk actuated by said gean a stopme'mber actuated by said disk,and"means .for locking said disk machines, a wheel for making contact with said cloth,' a star wheel actuated by said contact wheel, a gear actuated by said star wheel, acup shaped disk carrying a cylinder actuated by said gear, means cari'iedby-said disk for lockingsaid cylinder against saidgear, anannular member mounted to turn-on said disk, and -'tappets mounted on said device for actuating said'annu- 5 lar member torelease' the locking means. a '4. In a cloth -measuring device forknitting machines, a measuring member, a wheel interrnediately connected to said measuring member,

whereby to actuate the same, a rock cover carried by said measuring member, a tooth formed on said rock cover, a member for interfering with said tooth, thereby to hold said rock cover in predetermined position, and means for actuating said last member to releasing position.

55-111 a cloth measuring device for knitting machines having a stop motion, a wheel for makdevice iakmaag knitting by said measuring member for actuating the stop motion of the knitting machine.

6. In a cloth measuring device for knitting machines having a stop motion, a cloth measuring disk, a finger attached to said disk for actuating said stop motion, a worm gear for actuating said disk, a cylinder attached to said disk and making contact with said gear, means for holding said cylinder to turn with said gear, a pointer member mounted to turn on said disk, a rock member mounted to cover said pointer, and

means for automatically turning said pointer;

whereby to allow said cover member to move into releasing position. 7

7. In a cloth measuring device for knitting machines, a stop motion, a cloth measuring cup shaped disk, a finger attached to said disk for actuating said stop motion, a gear for actuating said cup shaped disk, means for holding said cup shaped disk to turn with said gear and means 10 for releasing said disk from said gear.

JOSEPH A. FIRSCHING. 

